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Oberlin College, April 25th, 1887
Louis Ransom, Esqr.,
My dear sir:
On talking over the work which you so generously propose to undertake for the College, we find that we have so many pressing needs to lay before alumni and other friends, that we cannot afford at present to open the way to you to interest them in your undertaking. We must [see?] our way to live and do our absolutely necessary work before we can afford to have their interest diverted to the needs of the college in the direction of Art. I hope you will not interpret this as indicating a want of appreciation of your work and purpose. We are grateful for what you have done for us and we shall hope for the time when we can aid you to realize your larger plans in the same direction; but we do not dare, for ourselves or our friends, to give attention to this at present.
Wishing you full prosperity in your chosen work I remain
Faithfully your friend,
[Las.?]H.Fairchild
P.S. We shall be happy to see you here at commencement